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Seatbelt Interlocks Could Stage a Comeback
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration signals that it might relax some vehicle safety requirements for cars equipped with interlocks that force occupants to fasten their seatbelts.
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The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration signals that it might relax some vehicle safety requirements for cars equipped with interlocks that force occupants to fasten their seatbelts.
"I feel very bullish about the engineering on this," NHTSA Administrator David Strickland tells reporters.
Carmakers have urged NHTSA to permit them to use interlocks instead of adding structure and padding to protect unbelted occupants. Companies say such an option could help them reduce vehicle weight and thus improve fuel efficiency.
But in September NHTSA denied a petition from BMW AG to permit the use of seatbelt interlocks. The agency promised to review the idea, however, although a change in policy to allow the technology isn't likely until about 2017.
BMW has proposed an interlock system that would limit a car's speed or even prevent it from being shifted into Drive until occupants fasten their seatbelts.
NHTSA briefly mandated interlocks four decades ago. But they were so unpopular that Congress outlawed them. Last year a new law allowed the agency to revisit the technology.
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